Hackney Council marks London Climate Action Week with launch of Repair Café Grant

Hackney is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2025/26 Repair Café Grant, aimed at supporting community-led initiatives that promote sustainability, reduce waste, and foster community resilience. 

The grant provides up to £1,500 for local non-profit groups and organisations to set up and operate Repair Cafés, community spaces where residents can bring broken household items such as electricals, textiles, and bikes to be repaired by skilled volunteers, free of charge.

We are pleased to announce that the following eight community groups have been awarded grants:

• Four local schools - Grazebrook Primary School, Thomas Fairchild Primary School, Woodberry Down Primary School and Shacklewell Primary School
• Two Tenant and Resident Associations
• British Jewish Charity, dedicated to supporting orphaned children through a comprehensive and compassionate model of care
• A new, grassroots, free art school oriented towards social action

Repair Cafés not only prevent waste and conserve resources but also offer numerous social and economic benefits by fostering community cohesion, sharing skills, and saving residents money.

The Hackney Repair Café Grant aligns with the council’s upcoming Circular Strategy and Action Plan, designed to reduce consumption-based emissions and enable active community participation. By supporting Repair Cafés, Hackney aims to create a repair-focused culture and support vulnerable and underrepresented communities within its diverse borough. 

"We believe in empowering our residents to embrace sustainable practices and build strong, connected communities. The Repair Café Grant is a fantastic opportunity for local groups to make a real difference by reducing waste, sharing skills, and promoting a culture of repair and reuse. It’s really good to see schools, tenants and residents associations and local groups across the community getting involved."

Cllr Sarah Young, Cabinet member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

"We see the Repair Café as more than just a place to fix things — it’s about restoring skills, confidence, and community connection. In a time when cost of living pressures are high, this project gives residents the tools and support to extend the life of everyday items, reduce waste, and build practical knowledge together. We’re proud to be creating a space where neighbours help neighbours, and where repair becomes a form of empowerment."

Grantee, Colville Tenants and Residents Association

For more information, please contact greenerhackney@hackney.gov.uk